25 Items in Shadow Of The Erdtree That You Don’t Want To Miss

There’s a lot to discover in Elden Ring: Shadow of the Eritree. With its sheer verticality you are bound to miss some stuff in your first playthrough. For example, there are several NPCs that you can talk to in order to get some freebies. There are also the Bell Bearings and Larval tears that make your journey a whole lot easier, but you wouldn’t find them if you didn’t know where to look! This guide will help you find some of the more prominent free stuff that we think you need on your journey to uncover Miquella’s story.

 

Church of Consolation

 

First up, when arriving at Gravesite Plain, kicking off the DLC. Before heading north to the scorched ruins and NPCs beyond, head east, along the opposite direction of the path. Through a forest laden with stone structures before coming out to the Church of Consolation. There are a few nice buffs here especially earlier on. Including 2 Scadutree Fragments at the base of the beheaded Marika statue, and a Blessing of Marika potion inside the cave just behind. This is something created in an attempt to heal Messmer, but to no avail. It will fully heal us mind you. This is not reusable, so you want to save it for a very crucial moment.
 

 

Additionally, you’ll want to defeat the Black Knight located here in order to obtain the Black Steel Greathammer, adorned with the Erdtree’s Grace of Gold and coming equipped with the Endure skill, to temporarily reduce  the damage of incoming attacks and boost our poise. Also, performing guard counters with this will unleash Erdtree’s Grace of Gold which is an explosion of holy damage. This weapon is worth grabbing if you’re running if you’re part of the strength gang. Overall, a very good place to give a once over when you’re starting out, regardless of your build.

 

Blade of Mercy

 

Back up to where most of us will arrive first though, the Scorched Ruins have a few secrets of their own. Amongst the lower rubble we can pick up a Greater Potentate’s cookbook, one for crafting Hefty Fire Pots and the appropriate Hefty Pot that we’ll need. Climbing to the top of the ruins though, on the Eastern side, open a door to find a chest containing the item, Blade of Mercy. Not a weapon, but rather a dagger talisman which raises our attack power by 20% for 20 seconds each time we land a critical hit.

Canonically, this was an item used by the Hornsent to end the suffering of those beyond saving with honor and dignity. And although it is broken after years of use, it’s now, acquired a spectral aura, presumably through the lives it has claimed.

 

Outer God Heirloom Bloodfiend Origin

 

After arriving at the Three-Path cross, head West towards Belurat, but then take an immediate South to arrive at the Cliffroad Terminus. Just beyond here is the Ruins of Prospect town. A place now overrun with Bloodfiends, seemingly cannibalizing one another as part of some bloody ritual. You’ll want to kill them all first to obtain the Bloodfiend’s arm, colossal weapon. But then, head to the building at the very top and open a chest to get the Outer God Heirloom. A talisman capable of raising our Arcane by 5 and which is useful whenever you need to bolster Arcane to use certain items.

 

All 9 Larval Tears

 

With so many new weapons and playstyles to try out, it’s gonna acquire a fair amount of respeccing. And even if you’ve exhausted every larval tear from the base game luckily there’s 9 more to find in the DLC. All of them can only be obtained at night and exist in the middle of spectacular blue glowing spiritstones, which are quite hard to miss. You can find a more detailed guide with map screenshots here.

 The first can be found just South of the Scorched Ruins. From there, head back up to Prospect town, a little to the East for the second one. The third is right below the Abandoned Ailing Village, just next to the Site of Grace. Fourth is between the Pillar Path waypoint and tower of suppression, there. The next is just below the church of the crusade on Scadu Altus, with the 6th just East of that past the encampment outside the Shadowkeep, surrounded by some bears. 7th can be found on our way to the temple town ruins, just behind the attacking archer giants. 8th is beyond the temple town ruins, not too far outside the scorpion river catacombs, here. And finally, number 9 is a little North of the Manus Matyr Cathedral, West of the Church District High Road Site of Grace.

 

Oathseeker Set & Blue Dew Talisman

 

The next place you don’t want to miss is to the Southeast, past where you may have picked up the larval tear, through the Forest of Lightning Rams and around a hill. Where, through a tunnel to the other side is the nestled away Church of Benediction. You can find the Blessed Blue Dew talisman here. It’s similar to its counterpart from the base game, only this one slowly regenerates FP. Not HP. The item description speaks of how the Erdtree used to drip with sap like the Scadutree still does.
 

 

You can also find Needleknight Leda’s armor here, minus the white cape. Up a cliff nearby, dangling over the edge you can find the Oathseeker Set and the Pata Fist weapon also, which serves as a sort of elongated arm blade.

What we can learn from the armor though is that Leda once set off on a quest of discovery. Searching for somebody to pledge an oath to and serve in lifelong devotion. She eventually found Miquella. This further explains her loyalty to him.

 

Rings of Spectral Light Sorcery

 

Next is a handy little sorcery that is quite easy to get. Located just above the Charo’s Hidden Grave Site of Grace. Ride immediately East across this pool and then back up and around and located amidst this Shrine of Gravebirds is Rings of Spectral Light. A spell which summons these ghostflame-like figure of 8s which then fly off and seek out the nearest enemy. Inflicting both Magical damage and Frost buildup. Said to have been practiced by the Keepers Of The Spiritgraves here where all death ultimately drifts.

 

Finger Weaver's Hovel

 

Below Charo’s Hidden Grave is the beautiful blue flowered Cerulean Coast. The actual beach to which we can travel around to reach the Finger Ruins of Rhea. You’ll see a huge fingerprint shaped structure comprised of giant fingers, finger creepers, and these almost serpentine things called Lampfreys.

We’ll be sent here as part of Ymir’s questline but one area that’s very easy to miss can be accessed by heading down into the Finger Ruins but then taking this western passage back up into the blue flowers. Coming around to a grove, known as the Finger Weaver’s Hovel. Where we can find a ghost who seems to believe that ringing the bell at the centre of the ruins shall result in them becoming sweetly cradled at the bosom of the exalted mother. A piece of foreshadowing again for Ymir’s quest.

Also here though is the Finger Weaver’s Cookbook (1). Allowing us to craft the Glinting Nail item which serves as an imitation of the same sorceries sold by Count Ymir. So it is mostly a non-magical alternative for low Intelligence builds.

 

Velvet Sword of St Trina

 

The Fissure, where we’ll eventually go for Thiollier's quest and to fight the Putrescent Knight, holds in its depths a sword. And to get this you’ll want to start from the Fissure Cross Site Of Grace. Head towards a tilted stone coffin and drop down to the hidden ledge below. Travelling along here and into a little cave. Watching out for the Congealed Putrescent Blobs, make sure to pick up the Velvet Sword of St Trina, a cool looking and very powerful item.

Due to its ability to inflict not just sleep but eternal sleep. Likely due to its recent exposure to St Trina herself and being coated in her much stronger deep purple cloud of eternal sleep. Using the ability both sends out a cloud to proc this effect but also coats the blade for a short time, allowing our hits to build up the effect of sleep. It doesn’t always work, but when it does, it’s really effective.

 

Wolf Crest Shield & Glintstone Trio

 

Here’s a couple items in Castle Ensis that I missed on my first go of the place. As you come out of Moonrithyll’s quarters into a courtyard area, be sure not to miss the ledge left of the ramparts here. Dropping down we can climb up onto these rooftops and then drop down to the other side where hanging over a ledge is the Glintblade Trio Sorcery. Described as a more refined form of the Greatblade Phalanx spell used by the troll knights.

Not only that though but dropping off   this ledge will bring us into a room below where Moonrithyll is and in this chest, we can loot the Wolf Crest Shield. A Strength scaling Emblem of the Carian Royal Covenant. Particularly proficient at defending himself from sorceries and serving as a symbol of the moon’s pride. Presumably brought along on Rellana’s journey to aid Messmer as a reminder of her homeland. 

 

All 7 Hidden Bell Bearings

 

Okay so whether this next one is technically free is debatable. The items themselves are free and they unlock things you can pay for at the twin husks. I’m talking of course about the new bell bearings. There are 7 discoverable around the Realm of Shadow. Not including those from NPCs whose quests I won’t spoil here. And pretty much all of them need to be shot off the side of cliffs with a ranged weapon like a bow. You can find a more detailed guide with map screenshots here.

The first is found at Prospect Town. In this little ravine here is the String Seller’s Bell Bearing. The next can be found at the southern end of the Ellac River Ravine, a way South of the Ellac River Cave Grace and this unlocks Toxic and Whiteflesh Mushrooms. The other Mushrooms Bell-Bearing can be found at the top of the said valley, here and unlocks the   Standard And Redflesh varieties.

The Herbalists bell bearing is above that valley along the ravine heading towards the Dragon’s Pit, unlocking Rada Fruit. Then if you want unlimited Fly Mold for crafting Poison Pots, that can be shot down from standing at the Recluses’ River Downstream Grace. North of that sort of on your way up to Manus Metyr Cathedral past the fire giant is the Greasemonger’s Bell Bearing for crafting things named after a popular musical. And finally, the Spell Machinists Bearing can be found on a corpse atop Rabbath’s Rise just North of there. Only to get to the very top involves dropping down from behind the Shaman Village.

 

Boltdrake Talisman 3

 

At the Shadow Keep and this first item can be found right by the Storehouse First Floor Grace. But is hidden behind a mountain of Ancient Hornsent Texts. The Hornsent apparently recorded large amounts of their knowledge on stone tablets and thanks to the better nature of Messmer and his fire knights, it was decided this knowledge wouldn’t be wiped from history but rather kept within a gigantic library in the Shadow Keep itself. A mark of more civilised crusaders, possibly.

Through a narrow passageway here behind the grace to the right is the entrance to a secret chamber, laden with tables and holding the now best Boltdrake talisman in the game. Negating lightning damage by a full 22%. Excellent when facing up to the likes of Dancing Lions, Ancient Dragons and plenty more. 

 

Impenetrable Thorns Incantation

 

Into the upper Shadow Keep now and heading back down from Messmer’s Dark Chamber, across the stone bridge and down these stairs to the right, dropping off onto a hidden ledge here where you will find this non-hostile guy, just chillin’.
 

 

Loot the corpse behind to obtain the sorcery Impenetrable Thorns. The same attack was used by the Scadutree Avatar throughout the fight. Firing thorns at us through the ground to both damage and stagger opponents. This sorcery is said to be employed by those who abandoned the practice of incantations after devout faith rewarded them with only despair.

 

Carian Thrusting Shield

 

One more thing in the Shadow keep though, this one can be picked up around the corner from the Storehouse Site Of Grace. The side that we access from the Church District. Before heading up the ladder though, continue around this corner to face a bunch of fire ghosts and one of Messmer’s knights, beyond which is the Carian Thrusting Shield. Not the most hidden item on this list I grant you, but one with some interesting lore implications. The description implies that Rellana and Miquella had a much more intimate relationship than we first thought.

 

Two-Headed Turtle Talisman

 

Turtle talismans. We’ve had one, yes. What about the two-headed turtle talisman? Something which boosts our stamina recovery speed just that bit more than the first one. 22.5% as opposed to 17.7%. To get this, you’ll want to head to the temple town ruins and to the waterfall immediately south. Where thanks to some gravestones we can drop down to the base, the same place we find a mushroom bell-bearing in fact. And for once those classic gamer instincts are going to come in handy. Because yes, this time, there is a hidden cave behind the waterfall. Where you’ll want to quickly rush in grab the talisman and leave before getting attacked. Now in such a rush you may not notice the actual turtle, or let’s be honest, tortoise, just chillin’ in here.

 

Divine Bird Warrior Ornis

 

Don’t you just love it when basic respawning enemies are so aggressive that they feel like mini bosses in their own right? Those Hornsent Divine Bird Warriors for one can be a real pain around Belurat. But what if I told you that there’s one, we could recruit for our arsenal? From the Temple Town Ruins Site of Grace. Head North just a little bit and look right to see a Spirit Spring. Ride it up into this ruin and loot the chest for some Beast Horns. This is just a decoy of a prize really, because the real one is hidden along a secret tunnel just behind. Through here will be a small chapel of sorts visible from below. Inside are the ashes of Divine Bird Warrior Ornis. You can summon this Spirit Ash to aid you in your battles.

 

Fine Crucible Feather Talisman

 

Up in the Rauh ruins, traveling Northwest from the Rauh Ruins East Grace site where we fight Crucible Knight Devonia. Heading back through the underground temple tunnels will be some ancient roots. Infested with fly people, but atop here we can pick up the Fine Feather Crucible Talisman. Something that makes backstepping a pretty effective dodge method but also increases our damage taken by 15%. Essentially, helping you screw up less yet making it worse if you do. Backstepping by the way is basically pressing dodge without moving in any direction and requires a certain degree of calm to utilize.

 

Talisman of all Crucibles

 

A secret path in Rauh Ruins; the grand stairway is accessed by dropping down to the left of this elevator up from the West Site of Grace. And across the ramparts is another elevator to access the 2nd Dancing Lion. Before that though, head around this extra bit to find some inquisitors and one of these little square tunnels. Through which is a chest containing the Talisman of All Crucibles. This comprises the effect of the Fine Feather Crucible talisman we just picked up, alongside the Standard Feather Talisman to improve dodging, The Scale Talisman to reduce crits, and The Knot Talisman to reduce headshots.

Sounds like a no brainer, right? Well, not so fast because the caveat is that this talisman also increases our damage taken by a huge 45%! Essentially begging the question, how confident are you in dodging standard attacks. Still worth picking up though and said to be the “mother of Crucibles” in ancient tower lore, rumored to have sprouted upon giants. Perhaps explaining the potential reasoning behind Marika’s crusade against the fire giants. If they were as deeply embedded with crucible worship as the Hornsent. 

 

Sword of Light & Darkness

 

So this next item is kind of a three in one and comprises of a total of three separate locations. Housing altars for the stone sheathed sword, sword of light, and sword of darkness. Whichever altar you visit first will bestow you with the sword. The subsequent two will allow you to transform it. We can switch between sword of light and sword of darkness as many times as we like by returning to their altars, so I’d recommend making your first altar the one that’s the biggest faff to get to. And that is down in the Fog Rift Catacombs.
 

 

In the 2nd segment of the dungeon above this large room contains 3 spike traps. You’ll wanna come to this balcony, wait for the trap to drop and immediately jump into this box. Exit at the higher level, don’t miss the blinkbolt ash of war and then travel along the top of the spikes, bringing us to this hidden room with an altar which for me is the sword of darkness one since I went to another ruin first. Don’t make my mistake…
 

 

After doing that, the order of the next two doesn’t matter as much. One is located at the ruins of Unte which we drop down to from the Shadowkeep by laying in a classic stone coffin. This church will initially be blocked by a decommissioned furnace golem which we’ll have to reawaken by tossing a hefty furnace pot directly into its furnace, opening the way to the altar right here.
 

 

And finally, in the ruins of Rauh, the last one is located in an isolated tower. To get here, simply use the spiritspring to jump up to the platform opposite and if you’ve seen Indiana Jones and the last crusade, it’s one of those bridges.  Just have faith and try and stay in the middle… Darkness will send out a spinning flurry of holy AOE damage around us, whilst light similarly sends out beams and infuses the blade with additional holy damage. And again, you don’t really have to make a choice here and are free to switch back and forth an unlimited number of times.

 

Verdigris Discus

 

Another item found in the Rauh ruins, only this one is accessible via a less conventional method and to get here, you’ll first want to start in Castle Ensis. Where heading along the ramparts, shortly before reaching the elevator to Rellana’s chambers, head into this little tower and loot the chest for the imbued sword key. This can be used just outside the exit to the castle. Turning right in Scadu Altus and down into this sort’ve river, waterfall island holding a waygate.

Unlocking it with the sword key, we’ll be transported early to a contained region of the Rauh ruins, home to a divine bird warrior and further inwards an ancient hornsent statue of a maternal seeming figure. Perhaps just an embodiment of the life bestowing crucible but I would wager she represents an outer god worshipped by the hornsent. This is because the item at her base is the Verdigris discus talisman.

Made of the same metal called Verdigris worn by Moore and said to be the gift of an outer god. Enormously hefty yet supple. Sounds a bit like leads to me. In fact, the talisman goes hand in hand with the Verdigris armour set by reducing our damage by 10% when at heavy load or 20% when over encumbered so potentially good for heavier style builds.

 

All 6 Scarab Ashes of War

 

There’s a ton of cool ashes of war found across the Shadow Realm and just like the base game, there’s a good handful which drop from killing tear scarabs. Here’s where to find all 6.

Firstly, piercing throw is in the southern Scadu Altus hiding amidst the ruins next to the ruined forge of Starfall past. A fairly easy one to spot when in the area but one that disappears quickly. Next, across the bridges northeast of the Bonny Village, in the woods heading up towards Manus Metyr is a scarab you’ll want to defeat with ranged attacks for the raging beast ash of war. An awesome downwards slash attack applicable to Beast Claws.

Then around the other side of Manus Metyr heading along this path from the church district high road grace. In a cave at the end, look up to obtain the Carian Sovereignty ash of war, transforming our sword into a giant magical slash attack akin to what Rellana uses against us. Perhaps left here by Rellana after her teachings from Ymir ended.

Fourth can be found atop the eastern hillock of the encampment outside the shadow keep where floating high in the air will be the rolling sparks ash of war, applicable to perfume bottles. Then a little north of the ancient ruins base, on the way up to Taylew’s ruined forge, with a good leap from Torrent, take down this scarab to loot the Scattershot Throw.

Another option for throwing blades, summoning multiple copies  of an armament for an AOE attack. Then finally, along the Scorpion River just south of the Ravine North Grace Site is the Poison Flower Blooms Twice Ash of War. My personal favourite of these though one that’s best not used around sheer drops. Hopefully at least one of those is useful for your build. If not, enjoy the treasure hunt.

 

Jolan and Anna Ashes Duplication

 

Here’s a way to double the number of allies summoned by one of your spirit ashes but to do this, you’ll first have to complete the questline of Count Ymir. After the quest of over though, we can find Jolan leant against her pillar in the church and first we’ll have a choice. Presenting her with an Iris of Occultation will grant us her awesome sword of night, which you may prefer to have but does lock you out of the other bonus. That being Jolan’s ashes, obtained instead of giving her an Iris of Grace.

Only it doesn’t quite end there. The tower of Rabbath’s rise just to the north contains a secret we can use to upgrade this ash but first you’ll have to make your way out the back of the shadow keep and into the Hinterland up to Marika’s old shaman village and riding up to the back of this place will be a hidden path that drops you back down into the very top of Rabbath’s rise. Where we can find the puppet body of Jolan’s lost sister Anna. And after interacting whilst holding the ashes, we can finally reunite the two and double our spirit summon. Or again, we can just take the sword, it’s up to you.

 

Euphoria & Secret Belurat route

 

Starting from the Spiral Rise Grace, ascend the stairs and defeat the inquisitor to halt its attacks. Do the same for the one below, then drop down to a lower ledge. Carefully navigate around the corner, collecting any items along the way. Drop again to a larger area and defeat the giant spider scorpion, ensuring to find the Scadutree fragment. Enter the temple room and use the elevator to return to Upper Belurat.
 

 

Descend the stairs, pass a divine beast warrior, and take another elevator leading to a bridge above the poison lake. Cross through the large double doors to claim our prize, Euporia. This Twinblade, symbolizing abundance, has blades made from golden shoots that can regain their luster by damaging foes, but have no effect against Those Who Live in Death.

Its vortex spin conjures a lasting vortex to repel attackers and deals charged damage. My theory is that this weapon, originally a Hornsent deity's, may have been wilted because Marika killed them, using their golden braids in her ascension to godhood. The lack of effect on Those Who Live in Death suggests Marika's use of the rune of death before Malekith obtained it.

 

Horned Warrior Ashes

 

Another hidden item in Enir Ilim though, albeit one far less convoluted to reach can be found again near the spiral rise. Heading up and onwards in the other direction this time, along the basic route to the gate of divinity until we come across the first divine beast warrior en route. Behind where it spawns, you’ll want to jump across to this platform, head down the ladder inside and in the rooms below are several boluses and more importantly the horned warrior ashes. Not as ancient or prestigious as Bird Warrior Ornis by the sounds but worth grabbing all the same.

 

All 3 Painting Rewards

There are three paintings around the shadow realm, all of which can point us to an additional prize. Here’s how to get them all.

Firstly, find the Incursion painting west of Prospect Town, above the Church of Benediction. It shows a view near the Ghostflame Dragon on Gravesite Plain, where approaching the spirit drops the Serpent Crest Shield, ideal for fire defense, commemorating Messmer's crusade.

Secondly, inside a cave north of the scorched ruins, discover a painting depicting the sacred tower before it was shadowed. Burn the sealing tree nearby to find a spirit by riding a spiritspring northeast of the Temple Town Ruins. Head behind the northern Nameless Mausoleum for the same view as in the painting, dropping the Spiraltree Seal to enhance spiral incantations.

Finally, the third painting is in the secret passage descending to the ruins of Unte. Descend ladders off the Shadow Keep Courtyard to find it in the same room. This leads to the Jagged Peak. From the Mountainside Site of Grace, southwest to a spiritspring, jump across an arch where a chair appears. After a minute, a spirit arrives, dropping the Rock Heart. This allows full transformation into a dragon, boosting resistances, damage negation, and strengthening dragon communion incantations. Different from the Dragon Priestess Heart, which boosts ancient dragon cult incantations rather than dragon communion.

 

St Trina's Blossom

 

After defeating the final boss but before starting New Game+, return to the Garden of Deep Purple to visit St. Trina one last time. Her body now rests in deep slumber, her soul presumably departed along with her other half. Despite this, you can obtain a parting gift: St. Trina’s Blossom. It symbolizes her fleeting life, leaving behind a single water lily that slightly boosts FP by 6%. Despite its velvety-purple hue, the flower is harmless, blooming quietly amidst her abandonment in the shadow realm by Miquella, where she met her end quietly, not with a bang but with a whimper.
 

Ahnaf Tajwar
Editor, NoobFeed